Boksburg will be buzzing with excitement from 2 to 5 October as hundreds of young scientists from across Africa descend on the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre to compete in the 38th annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF).

More than 500 of Africa’s top future engineers, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and innovators will be competing at the country’s largest school-level science fair for a chance to take home prizes worth more than R8.5 million. This one of a kind event does not only bring together the brightest young scientists from across South Africa, but also friends from Lesotho, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania and Mexico.

These bright young minds have earned a spot at Eskom Expo ISF after beating the competition at a series of regional finals, and they will be poised to showcase their innovative projects to a panel of judges and industry experts in the hope of bagging one of the top prizes – a scholarship to study in Germany sponsored by Siemens, as well as 16 full bursaries to study anywhere in South Africa from Eskom.

For 38 years now, the Eskom Expo has been cultivating a passion for the sciences in young people, giving participants a fun and exciting way to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI).

“The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists creates a platform for future scientists and engineers across South Africa, to establish a base for their future careers. The competition is a great launch-pad for motivated youngsters keen to explore these fields and change not only their circumstances but their environments for the better. It is an ideal catalyst for unearthing the country’s brightest young minds in mathematics and science and also opens their eyes to the various options and many exciting career opportunities available in the extensive scientific world,” says Executive Director of the Eskom Expo, Parthy Chetty.

The Eskom Expo has always sought to foster an interest in the sciences and through strategic support, enable promising young scientists to pursue their interest at a tertiary level, thereby creating a pipeline of young talent to serve across a range of industries. From laptops right through to university scholarships, the Eskom Expo is truly enabling young people to pursue their dreams.

Engineering and digital technology giant, Siemens is one of the major sponsors and has been involved with the Eskom Expo for the third year running. The company has committed laptops and science kits as well as three full local bursaries plus an incredible opportunity for one young scientists to go through a three and a half year mechatronics or electronics apprenticeship at the Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin.

Fiona Khoza from Nelspruit, the 2017 Siemens winner was awarded a full scholarship to study in Germany and will intern at a Siemens facility. The Apprenticeship programme affords young people, like Fiona the opportunity to take part in a three-and-a-half year, high-level education programme in Berlin and then upon their return to South-Africa, an opportunity to join the Siemens workforce.

This is a unique opportunity promoting both international and multicultural exposure for young African innovators. This year Siemens is also funding the travel expenses of learners from other African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to share their innovations at this year’s Eskom Expo.

Siemens CEO for Southern and Eastern Africa, Sabine Dall’Omo says: “Skills development and investing in our youth is imperative to grow innovation in Africa. As a global company with a strong local presence, we are proud to contribute to the development of Africa’s next generation. Innovation and positive societal transformation is in our corporate DNA.”

Eskom has been the title sponsor for several years as the state-owned enterprise sees the value in developing a passion for STEM and giving a platform for these future problem solvers to take their scientific hobbies to the next level.

Thava Govender, Eskom Group Executive: Transmission and Acting Group Executive Sustainability & Risk says the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is a demonstration of Eskom’s commitment to helping develop skilled science and engineering professionals, not only in South Africa but the rest of the continent.

“Creating skills in these fields and bridging the developmental gap between nations is a worldwide challenge and the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is one way of attempting to do that. Each region needs to start at home and address this challenge in its own backyard and we are doing that while we also support other countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia. The competition is making a significant contribution to sustainable socio-economic development in Africa by empowering its children.”

The public are invited to attend the Eskom Expo and see first-hand the impressive projects that these young South Africans have developed.

The Eskom Expo is open to the public on 4 October from 13:30 – 17:00 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.

While the barriers to workplace equality are steadily being worn away, it is still an uphill challenge for many women trying to succeed across the career spectrum. This year’s Women’s Lifestyle Expo (#WLE2018) – brought to you be FMI – is proud to feature a number of high-profile women who have managed to achieve in their respective fields, despite working in traditionally male-dominated industries.

“While great strides have been made in creating equal opportunities for South African women in the workplace, there is still so much that needs to be achieved,” said Helen Johns, co-founder of the Women’s Lifestyle Expo. “The only way to increase the pace is for women to support women, particularly those seeking leadership roles. This is at the heart of the Women’s Lifestyle Expo, and we are so proud to welcome these inspired career leaders to the event.”

These economic and social trailblazers – many of whom will be sharing their stories at #WLE2018 at Joburg’s Montecasino Piazza from 29 to 30 September – have imparted some of their wisdom to inspire other women seeking career success. Here are 16 Tips to Succeed in Male-Dominated Industries – from women who have proved it can be done.

Jean Chawapiwa, founder and MD of Win Win Solutions 4 Africa; and Country Director for WEConnect International in South Africa, is breaking boundaries in the mining sector. Her top 4 tips for career success, are:

1. Understand the politics of the company. You should always have a strategy to break through and get champions and influencers on your side.

2. Be well informed in your sector and share information. It’s beneficial to be seen to be a person who shares information.

3. Remember that respect is earned, so earn it and give it to those who deserve it.

4. Don’t see being a woman as a weakness, because if you do, then others will too.

Nonku Ntshona, CEO of Nonku Ntshona & Associates Quantity Surveyors LTD, and an award-winning entrepreneur, knows how to build up a successful organisation with international reach. She believes these are 4 tips are central to success:

5. Coming from a very male-dominated industry (the built environment/construction), I know that it’s a given that women in this industry experience isolation. My advice to women facing this kind of challenge is to start working with each other. Women historically don’t work well together, and that MUST change.

6. Build inclusive relationships. Don’t eliminate our male counterparts from the equation – we can learn so much from them. Remember they have been in these fields much longer than us and have a wealth of knowledge so, instead of working against each other, rather work together.

7. Network, network and more network! Join affiliations such as ‘Women Presidents’ Organisation; Women’s Property Network and WE Connect International. These organisations are a source of networking, as well as support structures for women entrepreneurs. It is important to build strategic relationships.

8. Don’t make business issues become personal issues, in other words, don’t take things personally. Make decisions based on them being good business acumen.

Nolitha Nkosi-Tshabalala, the owner of Nolitha TS (Pty) Ltd and SB Nkosi Scholar Transport CC, continues to succeed in the transport industry by constantly turning her passion for driving into success. Whether it’s in the trucking industry, or elsewhere, she outlines these 4 tips as essential:

9. We need to empower young women with skills such as teaching them how to drive. In addition to the freedom they are afforded, they are opened up to many profitable careers such as driving a truck. This idea needs to be planted well before they get serious about choosing a job.

10. We need to work towards the improvement of facilities to accommodate women in all fields. When it comes to woman truck drivers, for example, there needs to be changes made to truck stops to improve safety and make this a profession women want to pursue.

11. Promoting woman to woman is vital. Women need to see more women in male-dominated industries such as trucking. It is vital that, as woman, we continue to support each other and form groups within our industry to offer support and encouragement.

12. The bottom line is there are many male-dominated industries and, for you to succeed, you have to be twice as good as the worst man out there. It’s can be hard labour. You might be expected to lift, climb and roll things! But, with passion and dedication, women are winning in this game!

Wenzile Madonsela has served as the transformation officer at the Black Lawyers Association and is the Company Secretary and Chief Ambassador at the Thuli Madonsela Foundation, an organisation established to defend democracy through concerted dialogues, advocacy, research and training. Under her and her husband’s company, Unafundo PTY LTD, Wenzile started ‘Princess Chronicles’, a woman’s leadership training programme which empowers young women to live consciously and with purpose, while training them in the digital revolution. Here are her tips for success:

13. Always know what’s happening with your finances, from bank statements to cash flow and savings. You are the master of your money.

14. Balance is essential. You can’t do everything. Choose your strength and don’t be scared to ask for support. We women don’t need to prove we’re superhuman – the world already knows it!

15. Find ways to compliment other women instead of competing. Women need to work together.

16. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child. There are lessons to be learned from those who’ve already walked the path.

Learn more inspirational tips and worthwhile advice from South African’s top influencers, gamechangers, role models and industry leaders, set to feature at The Women’s Lifestyle Expo – brought to you by FMI. The event promises an extensive programme where pampering and luxury can be enjoyed while tackling more serious issues. Some things you can expect, are:

Collaboration and support for women has seen the creation of a truly worthwhile partnership as the Women’s Lifestyle Expo – brought to you by FMI – joins forces with the innovative online empowerment platform, ChangeMakersHub (CMH). The multisensory, multi-faceted Women’s Lifestyle Expo (#WLE2018) is taking over Joburg’s Montecasino Piazza from Saturday, 29 September to Sunday, 30 September.

Founded by Capetonian social entrepreneur, Michelle Korevaar, CMH is a tech-enabled platform that profiles organisations which are making a difference in their communities. This non-profit organisation connects people who want to make a difference to the other organisations that are positively impacting various areas of society through charitable work.

Helen Johns, co-founder of Women’s Lifestyle Expo, said the mission behind the event was to ‘help women thrive in all areas of their lives by connecting them to effective brands and services’.

“By partnering with CMH, Women’s Lifestyle Expo can help give a voice to organisations that are working as agents of change,” explained Helen. “By profiling these organisations and individuals, we are sharing and celebrating these phenomenal stories, as well as providing them with a platform to reach others who are equally passionate about changing lives for the better.”

At its core, CMH is driven by the Millennial Leadership Network, a peer-to-peer sharing network comprised of influencers, leaders and agents of change committed to activating solutions for worthwhile causes. The inclusive model leaves no-one behind, integrating the talents of driven change makers.

The initiative has already received significant support, with endorsement from Premier of the Western province where the pilot project has commenced roll out. The partnership with #WLE2018 will pave the way for even more of an impact, nationally and further abroad.

“Women are the natural care-takers of our families, friends and communities,” explained CMH founder, Michelle Korevaar. “Because of this, we have the innate tendency to become the catalysts of positive change within our societies – sometimes we just don’t know how. Together with Women’s Lifestyle Expo, our call to action is to come together as active partcipants in giving a voice to the phenomenal organisations in the arena of women empowerment. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure equality and care are provided in the multi-faceted areas of developing women to have the opportunity to thrive into their greatest potential.”

Helen Johns said the partnership with CMH allowed Women’s Lifestyle Expo to continue its work of female empowerment, long after the event has been concluded: “The power of women coming together is awe-inspiring. There are so many amazing organisations doing the work. We want to offer them a platform to be heard through CMH.”

If you know of any worthy changemakers, go to www.changemakershub.org and share your nomination.

To find out more about CMH and the work being done, get your tickets to the Women’s Lifestyle Expo now! Tickets are available at www.itickets.co.za.

In addition to CMH, the Women’s Lifestyle Expo – brought to you by FMI – promises an extensive, all-encompassing programme for every age. You can expect:

Sit down to an intimate High Tea with some of South Africa’s most dynamic, impressive and influential women at this year’s Woman’s Lifestyle Expo (#WLE2018). Guests will be treated to a sumptuous tea while hearing how these phenomenal women managed to achieve their success; balancing demanding careers and motherhood and still managing to embrace their femininity. This sumptuous networking opportunity – brought to you by FMI – will be taking place on Saturday, 29 September from 2pm to 4pm at Joburg’s Montecasino Piazza Ballroom.

“We are living in an incredible age where women are emerging from the shadows and finally being recognised as the powerful, world-changing individuals they have always been in their industries,” said Helen Johns, co-founder of Women’s Lifestyle Expo. “The Women’s Lifestyle Expo High Tea will give you an opportunity to feed your inner goddess in a space that is energising and empowering and where women from all walks of life will get to interact, engage with and learn from some truly inspiring women.”

Imagine the setting: a sophisticated and elegant High Tea where guests will sip champagne and gin cocktails and enjoy gourmet fare prepared by #WLE2018 official food partner, OPEN Food Group. The culinary team has fashioned a mouth-watering menu of on-trend delicacies, the likes of which you have never seen before and likely to prove irresistible. Tomato infused profiteroles filled with a salmon and dill mousse; gorgonzola mousse with walnuts and poached pear; and key lime tarts are just a few of the gourmet eats to expect on the day.

Guests will be able to enjoy one-on-one interactions and engage in relaxed discussions with the speakers and each guest will leave with a complimentary goodie bag so that they can continue their pampering experience at home.

The #WLE2018 High Tea will feature a panel of multi-talented, dynamic women who will share their thoughts and experiences on their road to ‘Redefining Success’. They’ll take you on their personal journeys, sharing how they came to achieve their greatest potential as mothers, active contributors to the economy and society and as vibrant and ageless goddesses.

Meet the Speakers

Unathi – A modern-day African Renaissance woman

Unathi is a famed South African singer, songwriter, radio host and Idols judge who has positioned herself as one of the most influential women in entertainment. She has earned a number of national and international accolades, among them ‘Song of The Year’ and ‘Best Female’ at the MMAs, ‘Best South African Radio Host’ at the Nickelodean Kids’ Choice Awards 2014, as well as being named as the most promising woman in media at the MTN Media Awards. Unathi has performed for high-profile audiences, including the United Nations’ delegates, and has shared the stage with global icons such as John Legend, Yossou-Ndou, Chaka Khan and Dbanj. One of her proudest songwriting achievements – Sgubhu – was on the soundtrack of Academy award-winning movie, Tsotsi.

Wenzile Madonsela – A defender of democracy and activist

Wenzile is pursuing a Masters in Human Rights Law on her journey to social justice. She served as the transformation officer at the Black Lawyers’ Association and is the Company Secretary and Chief Ambassador at the Thuli Madonsela Foundation, an organisation established by her mother to defend democracy through concerted dialogues, advocacy, research and training. Under her and her husband’s company, Unafundo PTY LTD, Wenzile started ‘Princess Chronicles’, a woman’s leadership training programme which empowers young women to live consciously and with purpose, while training them in the digital revolution.

Nonku Ntshona – An award-winning, young black entrepreneur

The principle partner of Nonku Ntshona & Associates Quantity Surveyors LTD, Nonku has built up a successful organisation, working on top projects within South Africa and internationally. She won the young black entrepreneur of the Year Metropolitan Oliver award in 2010, and was selected as a South African representative to attend the 2011 African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) in the US in 2011. In 2013, she received the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation (IWEC) award. Received the Nelson Mandela University Alumni Rising Star Award in 2017. Nonku has extensive qualifications and sits on a number of boards and committees including the Women Property Network, South African Property Owner’s Association Property Development Programme; Chair of South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners Communication, Events and Marketing as well as Board Member, and member of We Connect International.

Michelle Korevaar – A social entrepreneur

A marketing strategist by trade, Michelle established SPICE4LIFE.co.za in 2005, a media platform that publishes good-news stories, providing a voice to their network members of over 30 000 women. Michelle has served on various global boards, passionately pursuing strategic gap points with stakeholders across sectors in her belief that we all have the power to be the change the world needs. This year she launched ChangeMakersHub, a tech-enabled network that profiles social entrepreneurs – charitable entities helping those who need it most.

Gugulethu Mhlungu – Youngest ever station manager and panel moderator

When it comes to South African media legends, Gugulethu Mhlungu is a powerful young voice cutting across the distracting chatter of day-to-day conversation. Starting as the youngest ever station manager in the country’s broadcast history at Rhodes Music Radio, Gugulethu has continued this upward trajectory. This award-winning features’ writer, radio presenter, and editor (currently deputy editor of BONA Magazine) boasts a decade of both on and off-air media roles, and continues to contribute to South African public discourse in much-needed and incisive ways.

Tickets to the High Tea are R650 per person – which includes access to the entire Women’s Lifestyle Expo – and can be bought from www.itickets.co.za. With limited space available, you’re urged to book now to avoid disappointment.

In addition to the exclusive High Tea experience, the Women’s Lifestyle Expo – brought to you by FMI – promises an extensive, all-encompassing programme for every age. You can expect:

After a few years on the catwalks of South Africa and Europe, Helen Johns (Atlantic Seaboard/ City Bowl) found herself in the Mother City to complete a university degree. In between lectures and socialising in the city, she and a friend started a small clothing company on Greenmarket Square. Once her entrepreneurial spirit got a taste of the opportunities out there, there was no looking back – she co-founded The Source, a wholesale homeware imports’ company, and created an events’ company within an advertising agency. This eventually became Mint Productions & Destinations, an expert events’ company operating across Africa.

Finally, Helen decided that merely leading by example was not enough to uplift and empower women in the real world, which is how the Women’s Lifestyle Expo was born. What better way to celebrate empowered women than bringing to South Africa its first Women’s Lifestyle Expo.

“The Women’s Lifestyle Expo is about female empowerment and promotion of the extraordinary skill and talent found in every industry across the country,” explained Helen. “Women are masters at the art of multitasking, which is why the Women’s Lifestyle Expo has put together a diverse array of presenters and inspiring feminine experiences to be relished over one weekend.”

Join her at the Women’s Lifestyle Expo (#WLE2018), which will take place at Joburg’s Montecasino Piazza from Saturday, 29 to Sunday, 30 September. It promises to be a weekend to remember. Tickets are available at www.itickets.co.za. For more information about the #WLE2018, visit www.womenslifestyleexpo.co.za